As the Nuggets figure out how they are going to navigate the stretch run of the season, center Steven Hunter is figuring out how he’s going to resume his career.

It is in jeopardy.

In November, doctors told Hunter it might be in his best interest to end his career, prior to an arthroscopic surgical procedure on his right knee – his second in two seasons. But Hunter is set on playing again and is forging forward to do so at risk to his future health. It has become a classic struggle of head vs. heart.

“(The doctor) told me that it would be very hard for me to come back and play at a certain level,” Hunter said. “It was all about how hard I dedicate myself to getting my knee stronger, and actually waiting and letting it heal. But he was like, ‘You don’t have the best knee. And with the years remaining on your contract I wouldn’t risk playing to further damage it.’ But, you know, I love playing the game; I’m a young man at 27, and I believe my knee is strong enough now.”

Hunter was originally scheduled to miss 12 weeks after the surgery, done on Nov. 14. The 12th week was the first week of February. Hunter is now on week 15, and, though he told me in a December interview that he was targeting a return in March, nothing is certain anymore.

“It all depends on how I feel,” said Hunter, who is in his eighth NBA season. “We’re doing good right now. I want to come back, just to say I came back, just so I have something to show for my hard work. But, you know, I’m going to continue to work with (Nuggets strength and conditioning coach) Steve (Hess), talk with Steve and the doctors and we’ll decide what’s best.”

Hunter, who is making $3.8 million this season with an early termination option in the summer, has also squared himself with the future ramifications of his decision to try and play basketball again. I asked him if the risk might outweigh the gain of a retirement spent mostly pain-free.

“Absolutely,” Hunter said. “I believe after basketball I may have some post knee problems. But, you know, hey, this is my career, this is what I love doing. You only live once, and this is what I want to do with my life. I’m totally happy with it. I wouldn’t do anything like put myself on the court in a position where I was in pain or anything like that. Right now I feel great. But the doctor is saying maybe when I’m 40 or 50 years old, just like a lot of NBA players, their knees might be shot. So that’s how it is.”

Hunter is a good guy taking a big chance on playing. He’s only played in 19 games since the Nuggets traded for him in the summer of 2007 and his right knee has been the cause for nearly all of the time missed. He’s missed all 58 games this season. Like so many athletes, Hunter is simply looking for a chance to go out on his own terms.

“The doctors had some doubts,” Hunter said. “They didn’t say I couldn’t play, they just said I don’t know if you should. So it’s all about the will and determination you have within yourself. And it’s all about what you want to do. And I still have the youthful exuberance to want to play. And my knee is reacting well right now. And, you know, I look forward to playing for more years to come.”

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.